Arkansas 3, UMBC 0

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Playing against its first SEC opponent in 15 years, the UMBC volleyball team could not keep up with Arkansas, as the Razorbacks swept the Retrievers, 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-7), Friday afternoon in the opening contest of the Adidas/Michigan Challenge at Cliff Keen Arena.

Sophomore outside hitter Hannah Schmidt (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales) led the Retrievers (2-4) with a team-high seven kills while junior libero Ali Goc (Oshawa, Ontario/R.S. McLaughlin) recorded eight digs and classmate Kat Lincalis (Halethorpe, Md./Towson) picked up four digs.

Arkansas (5-0) used a balanced attack throughout the evening as seniors Roslandy Acosta and Jasmine Norton recorded 13 and 11 kills, respectively.  Junior setter Raymariely Santos recorded a match-best 33 for the Razorbacks.

"We competed really well for two sets and there are lots of positives to take away from the match," said head coach Ian Blanchard.  "It's unfortunate that we had some major breakdowns in the third set, but overall I'm pleased with the effort."

It was a cagey opening to the match in the first set as the two teams traded the lead twice and were tied four times, the last at 4-4, following a kill by freshman setter Paige Miller (Reading, Pa./Schuylkill Valley).  Arkansas then ran off six consecutive points to open up a six point lead, one the Hogs would not relinquish.  The Retrievers got back to within four at 11-7, following a ball handling error, but could not get any closer as Arkansas took the opening frame, 25-16.

After the Razorbacks continued their momentum into the second set to take an early 3-1 lead, UMBC fought back with four straight points to take the lead, 5-3, on a kill by Schmidt.  The squads then traded the lead twice before Arkansas once again pulled away, building a five-point cushion, 19-14.  The Black and Gold pushed back, however, and cut the lead just two, 19-17, with three straight points.  The Razorback then held off another charge to take set two, 25-20, for a 2-0 set lead.

In set three, Arkansas proved to be too much for UMBC, using a 12-0 run to jump out to a 22-5 lead. The Retrievers inched back with a kill from freshman Sherelle Walker (New Freedom, Pa./Susquehannock), but it was not enough as the Razorbacks took the third set, 25-7.

UMBC returns to the court on Saturday morning to take on tournament host and No. 22-ranked Michigan at 11 a.m. before finishing the weekend against Central Michigan at 5 p.m.

DAWG BITES

-           This was the first ever meeting between UMBC and Arkansas in volleyball.

-          The Retrievers are now 0-3 all-time against SEC opponents (0-1 vs. Alabama; 0-1 vs. Arkansas; 0-1 vs. Auburn).

-          UMBC failed to have a player in double-digit kills for the first time this season.